Correlation between higher education support and future sustainable ecopreneurship drive among Javanese-centric students

The environmental crisis has triggered green markets and eco-consciousness. Java is facing severe ecological stress. Ecopreneurship is then seen as a job creator and conservation tool. However, obstacles such as scarce resources remain among entrepreneurs. Universities play a crucial role in promoting eco-awareness and nurturing aspiring ecopreneurs. This study aims to analyze the role of three pillars of external support for education, government, and technology in self-efficacy and ecopreneurship intentions among Java Island students. This study involved 309 undergraduate (S1) students from state and private universities in Java in different specialization programs, based on the criteria, who attended and passed the entrepreneurship course program. Data analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results showed that eco-educational support was found to significantly enhance ecopreneurial self-efficacy, aligning with prior research emphasizing the importance of recognition, curriculum, industry collaboration, and business ecosystem in fostering self-efficacy. Similarly, eco-educational support positively influences ecopreneurial intention, reinforcing the significance of educational initiatives in promoting green business ventures. Governmental assistance, including financial aid and pro-environment policies, was identified as crucial in bolstering both self-efficacy and intention for ecopreneurship. Moreover, the support of information technology positively affects self-efficacy and intention, indicating its role in facilitating access to resources and fostering confidence among aspiring ecopreneurs. The study also highlighted the mediating role of self-efficacy, suggesting its importance in bridging external support with entrepreneurial intentions. Overall, the findings underscore the importance of holistic support systems in cultivating a generation of environmentally conscious entrepreneurs. AcknowledgmentThis study is funded by the Riset Kolaborasi Indonesia (Grant No. 38248/UN38.15/LK.04.00/2023) Universitas Negeri Surabaya.